As disembarking passengers, looked on in amazement, Swamiji, at aged 71, was golden-complexioned and dressed in bright saffron robes. Walking towards the chanting crowd he smiled moving down the row of chanters graciously accepting the offerings and a large bouquet of flowers from Allen Ginsberg (a well known poet). He then offered all the gifts back to outstretched hands. Srila Prabhupada encouraged the chanters to continue. The Swami stood in their midst softly clapping his hands and singing Hare Krsna. Gracefully, he raised his arms above his head and began to dance, stepping and swaying from side to side.

As the waiting car left, Bhaktivedanta Swami was happy to be representing his spiritual master Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati and Lord Caitanya in another big Western city.

They arrived at the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple that Mukunda and his friends had obtained at Frederick Street. Srila Prabhupada led a Kirtana, (chanting) and spoke, inviting everyone to take up Krsna consciousness. He told reporters, ?I consider LSD to be an intoxicant. I do not allow any of my students to use that or any intoxicant. I train my students to rise early in the morning, to take a bath early in the day, and to attend prayer meetings three times a day.? The arrival was covered on the eleven o?clock news.

Next morning, while everyone slept, Bhaktivedanta Swami rose at 1 a.m. and chanted for one hour, then turned to his writing. Using a tape recorder he dictated, dressed in a faded jersey and wrinkled dhoti (man?s lower garment). This habit was not much different from his early morning hours at Radha-Damodara temple in Vrndavana, India. Rising early and writing had become a vital routine for the Swami.

Some New York disciples had objected, as Swamiji was scheduled for the Mantra-Rock Dance that Mukunda and others had been working on for months. He planned to go, chant, and leave as he would not compromise himself. He would go anywhere to preach. Famous groups had agreed to appear including the Grateful Dead, Moby Grape, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and Jefferson Airplane.

On the night of the rock dance the devotees began a warm up kirtana on stage with incense pouring from the stage .They were followed by Moby Grape and at ten o?clock Swamiji walked up the stairs followed by Kirtanananda and Rapacora. Conch shells were blown, and drums rolled as the crowd fell silent and parted. Swamiji with his head held high appeared to float across to the stage.

Pictures of Krsna flashed on the wall as he seated himself. Allen Ginsberg, at Swamijis invitation, spoke about Bhaktivedanta Swami and invited everyone to the temple. Swamiji spoke about the mantra then Allen began the chanting playing his harmonium. This continued all evening and Swamiji stood up, lifted his arms, and began to dance. After some time Swamiji suddenly stopped and offered prayers to his spiritual master and made his way off stage. As he left he commented ?This is no place for a brahmacari? (celibate monk). New York devotees were concerned that the mood in San Francisco was too relaxed but Swamiji loved the way so many people were coming.

Swamiji dealt with drugged, and often abusive hippies in an amazingly humble, and clever way. A devotee who accompanied him on his morning walks, commented that the Swami saw everything through the eyes o f scripture and his comments were full of transcendental instruction.

One day Malati hurried into Swamiji?s apartment, and placed a small item on Swamiji?s desk for his inspection. ?What is this, Swamiji??

Bhaktivedanta Swami looked down and beheld a three inch wooden doll with a flat head, a black, smiling face, and big, round eyes. The figure had stubby, forward-jutting arms, and a simple green and yellow torso with no visible feet.

Immediately, Swamiji folded his palms and bowed his head, offering the little figure respects.

?You have brought Lord Jagannatha, the Lord of the Universe?, he said smiling and bright-eyed. ?He is Krsna. Thank you very much.?

Later Maliti, and her husband Syamadundara, hurried back to buy the two other dolls the Swami told them would make the set.

More than two thousand years ago, Bhaktivedanta Swami told them, there was a King named Indradyumna, a devotee of Lord Krsna. Maharaja Indradyumna wanted a statue of the Lord as he had appeared when He and His brother and sister had travelled on chariots to the holy field of Kuruksetra during a solar eclipse. When the king requested a famous artist from the heavenly planets, Visvakarma, to sculpt the forms, Visvakarma agreed ? on the condition that no one interrupt his work. The King waited for a long time, while Visvakarma worked behind locked doors. One day, however, the king felt he could wait no longer and he broke in to see the work in progress. Visvakarma, true to his word, vanished, leaving behind the uncompleted forms of the three deities. The king was nevertheless so pleased with the wonderful forms of Krsna, Balarama, and Subhadra that he decided to worship them as they were. He installed them in a temple and began worshiping them with great opulence.

Sources: Only He Could Lead Them (Srila Ptabhupada-lilamrta, Vojume3, by Satsvrupa dasa Goswami, Your Ever Well-wisher by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami.